Costa Smeralda - Emerald Coast in Sardinia - Costa Smeralda Beaches Wine Share The Costa Smeralda, (or Emerald Coast), is a 35-mile stretch of some of the most breathtaking beaches and luxury destinations in the Mediterranean. The development of the Emerald Coast in Sardinia began in the early 1960s when a conglomerate of companies backed by a wealthy Middle Eastern prince introduced an elaborate plan for urban development including villages, beaches, and resorts . Nearly a half-century later Costa Smeralda is one of the most enviable destinations for affluent travelers around the world. The luxury accommodations, dining , shopping, pristine beaches, and nightlife make the Emerald Coast in Sardinia the “playground of the rich.” Other destinations in the Mediterranean, Ibiza for instance, have become increasingly popular in the last few decades largely because of the fact that much of the island is geared toward catering to travelers who are seeking out luxury accommodations, boutiques, spas, and more. This is true for many of the posh destinations around the world, but it is doubtful that any have been developed with the same level of exacting detail with which Costa Smeralda was constructed.

The Costa Smeralda beaches provide the perfect natural venue for some of the most expensive and elaborate resorts in the Mediterranean. It is known as the Emerald Coast in Sardinia largely because of the awe-inspiring water that, throughout the course of one day on the island, displays brilliant shades of blue that reflect the sun like an ever-changing gem stone. Visitors to the Costa Smeralda beaches enjoy fine white sand and a stunning natural landscape of bays and inlets that are accentuated by unique foliage and vegetation, as well as rocky promontories and high-reaching coast lines. There is full-time security on the beaches and access to plenty of water sports and other activities. The luxury hotels and resorts on the Emerald Coast in Sardinia provide you with access to lush and exclusive areas of the long stretch of beach where you can enjoy your vacation in relative privacy. It's also a good idea to check into vacation packages that include one of the resorts in Costa Smeralda. Sardinia Map Staying in one of the hotels in Costa Smeralda is expensive, especially during peak season. You can expect to pay between $2000 and $3000 for one night at a luxury accommodation on the exclusive Emerald Coast.

The Cala di Volpe, Cervo Hotel, Hotel Romazzino, Hotel Pitrizza comprise the main luxury resorts on this coastal area of the island of Sardinia. Each of these hotels is fantastically well appointed, offering guests nearly every imaginable amenity to ensure an ideal stay on the island. Many of the affluent guests charter boats from the marina in Porto Cervo or enjoy a round of golf at the Pervero Golf Club. There is also private jet access in nearby Olbia as well as helicopter transport. The Costa Smeralda beaches are already majestic on their own. When you add the benefits of luxury resorts and world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment, you have an Emerald Coast experience. It is the most exclusive part of Sardinia and an area that grows in popularity every year. Even though its tradition is one of extreme affluence and exclusivity, the resort destination is even growing in popularity among savvy travelers who have figured out how to travel there cheaply, take in all of the impressive sights, but stay in a nearby and more reasonably priced accommodation.

Hotels Costa Smeralda, Olbia and the North East of Sardinia, North Eastern Sardinia, northeast Sardinia, Arzachena, Bassacutena, Cala Capra, Cannigione, La Maddalena, Palau, Porto Pollo, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Santa Teresa, Capo Testa, Sant Antonio di Gallura, Lago di Liscia, Sardinia, Italy, Olbia Airport ,Â Porto Rotondo, San Pantaleo.Â Arzachena hotels> Baia Sardinia Baia Sardinia is a beautiful beach resort, looking out to Caprera Island, with a stunning white sandy beach and turquoise bay surrounded by villas, hotels and a lively piazza with shops, café bars and restaurants. There are watersports available on the beach and boat trips out to the islands to really appreciate the beauty of this coastline. Aquadream Water Park for children is located just out of the town.

Baia Sardinia hotels > Bassacutena Bassacutena is a small village situated in the heart of the natural Galluran countryside, in the middle of nowhere yet equidistant between Santa Teresa and Palau for beaches, Arzachena for shops, banks and weekly market, and Tempio up in the mountains. The village itself has a few small shops for everyday supplies, a couple of café bars and Agriturismo (farm) restaurants nearby. Bassacutena villa > Cala Capra Cala Capra is a beautiful bay between Cannigione and Palau with coves and beaches nestled into the coastline and the stunning headland of Capo d’Orso above, with Bear Rock perched on top. There are wonderful views to Baia Sardinia, with the Costa Smeralda beyond, and also to the island of Caprera. Boat trips leave from the small exclusive marina at Capo d’Orso and there is a very good restaurant adjacent for lunch or dinner.

Cala Capra hotels and apartments > Cannigione Cannigione is a popular holiday destination with a port and marina offering boat trips and boat hire to visit the nearby beaches and islands of the Archipelago of La Maddalena. The town has a selection of shops, supermarkets, weekly market and night market (high season), plus good restaurants, pizzerias, café bars and gelaterias. Costa Dorata & Porto San Paolo 12km south of Olbia and situated on the coast is Porto San Paolo which has a few shops, bars and restaurants. Costa Dorata is a quiet stretch of coastline with many beautiful coves and beaches to explore. Isola Tavolara The island of Tavolara is a limestone massif 5km long and 1km wide located just off the Costa Dorata. A cove and beach can be found at each end of the island, Spalmatore di Fuori at the northeast, and Spalmatore di Terra at the southwest. Currently, the island is inhabited by only a handful of families, and has a small cemetery and summer restaurant.

The water around the island is a popular spot for scuba diving as part of the Tavolara and Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Preserve created in 1997. In the 19th and 20th centuries, an imaginary state was set up on the island by the Bertoleoni family as the Kingdom of Tavolara. After Italian unification, King Paolo actively sought recognition from Italy. During his reign, in 1868 the Italian government began operating a lighthouse on the northeast end of the island. The present claimant is an Italian citizen named Tonino Bertoleoni, who runs 'Da Tonino', a restaurant on the island. Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda ‘The Emerald Coast’, a name inspired by the azure colour of the sea, nestles in the north east corner of the island. It was designed and developed by the Aga Khan in the 1960’s, to preserve and protect this earthly paradise.

With Porto Cervo at its centre, the Costa Smeralda coastline stretches for 55km, with a harmonisation between Mediterranean architecture, natural landscape and seascape encompassing more than 80 beautiful bays, coves and sandy beaches. Golfo di Marinella hotel > La Maddalena La Maddalena Island is the largest of the 7 that make up the Archipelago of La Maddalena and it can be reached by regular daily ferries from Palau in approximately 15 minutes. There is a thriving port and yacht marina surrounded by little café bars, restaurants and gelaterias and a wonderful place to stop to watch the boats and the world go by. The town has a good selection of shops and attractive side streets. There is a lovely circular coastal road with spectacular views and giving access to some superb beaches and Caprera Island by bridge. Olbia Olbia is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda on the north east coast with an international airport, ferry port, marina and interesting old town. The town overlooks the Gulf of Olbia and the dramatic Tavolara Island.

It has a good selection of shops, café bars, restaurants and in high season a night market with live music. Poltu Quatu hotels > Porto Rotondo Porto Rotondo is an attractively designed world class yacht marina (second to Porto Cervo) surrounded by exclusive hotels and villas on the hillside. It has stunning views of the Costa Smeralda with azure blue sea, granite outcrops, sun bleached beaches and hidden coves. There are stylish boutiques, restaurants and café bars to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by and the huge yachts moor up in the marina. San Pantaleo San Pantaleo is a village situated up on the hillside behind the Costa Smeralda. It is sheltered by rugged mountains that are clearly visible from all over the north east of Sardinia and are a distinctive feature of the island’s unique and diverse landscape. The village itself is typically Mediterranean with terracotta buildings and a few shops, café bars and restaurants. The old folk still sit on the steps around the small piazza watching the world go by.

San Teodoro 30km south of Olbia airport, San Teodoro is a buzzing holiday resort in high season with a good selection of shops, café bars, restaurants, pizzerias and gelaterias. On summer evenings there are market stalls in the town piazza to buy typical Sardinian handicrafts and Sardinian specialities are available, including local wines and cheeses, from the small food shops. There is a 9 hole golf course at Punta Aldia and horse riding, mountain biking and nature trails at Monti Nieddu, the hills behind San Teodoro. Santa Teresa & Capo Testa Santa Teresa di Gallura and Capo Testa are situated on the northern most tip of the island enjoying wonderful views over the Straits of Bonifacio to the island of Corsica. There are some beautiful beaches with clear turquoise sea, ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and fascinating rock formations carved by the wind on the headland and in the Valley of the Moon. The town offers a good selection of shops and restaurants and from the port, boat trips to the islands and daily ferries to Corsica. The town beach of Rena Bianca is lovely.

Santa Teresa hotels > Sant’Antonio di Gallura and Lago di Liscia The small village of Sant’Antonio di Gallura with a couple of shops, restaurants and café bars is 2km away from Lake Liscia, an artificial basin in the heart of the Galluran countryside, created in the sixties. It is possible to walk round and fish in the lake which is surrounded by evergreen oaks, centuries-old wild olive trees, wind sculpted granite rocks, with native flora and fauna. There is a small railway station nearby where the scenic ‘Il Trenino Verde’ passes on its way between Palau and Tempio during the summer months. There is also the archaeological site of ‘Nuraghes’ at 340m above the sea level to visit. Tempio Pausania Tempio Pausania lies inland in the heart of Gallura at the foot of Monte Limbara (1,359m), 32km from Olbia and 69km from Sassari in the north east of Sardinia.

The town has original cobble streets, shops, churches and restaurants yet is famous for its cork products, granite stone production and vineyards producing Muscat and Vermentino wines. The typical granite stone architecture of the historical centre has many similarities with southern Corsican towns and its granite plateau provided the materials for the 15th century Cathedral and Oratorio del Rosario, which with some 19th century reconstruction gives a combination of late Romanesque and Baroque architecture. In the surrounding countryside, there are several Nuraghic-period remains including the nuraghes of Monti Pinna, Tanca Manna Izzana, Culbinu, Agnu and Majori. The area is also known for thermal springs and the mineral water from the Rinaggiu springs at the foot of Monte Limbara has excellent curative properties. Hiking is popular in the Gallura mountains with trails and waterfalls to discover. Il Trenino Verde offers a scenic narrow gauge train route to Palau on the coast on some days in the summer months.

Costa Smeralda, the emerald coast COSTA SMERALDA, THE EMERALD COAST Where nature unfurls in beauty in the Island of Longevity Costa Smeralda (The Emerald Coast) is like a magical cocktail of sea, sun, music and happiness to which it is almost impossible to resist. Situated on the stretch of the North-Eastern coast of Sardinia, between the Gulf of Arzachena and Cugnana, Costa Smeralda is one of the most eloquent and mesmerizing sea resorts and tourist destinations of Italy. It is a small stretch of land, approximately 20 km long in the commune of Arzachena (province of Olbia). Costa Smeralda is synonymous with beaches, secluded coves, crystal sea. In this extraordinary panorama you will notice little houses surrounded by granite and Mediterranean vegetation, numerous villas, golf courses and ports perfectly integrated with the natural picture.

A series of silvery beaches of white sand, a number of golf clubs, some exclusive hotels and restaurants, and with the privilege of private helicopter and jet services, the area has since long one of the most sought after summer vacations for the celebs and business tycoons, public figures and affluent visitors from all over the world. In fact, it is one of the most popular luxury estates in Europe and one of the costliest places to visit. When it comes to natural splendor and art and culture, history and architecture, there is simply no dearth of any of them in Costa Smeralda. In Sardinia, you will not find any end to the fascinating art and culture, and Costa Smeralda is no exception. Its megalithic ruins, string of town festivals, the unfathomable natural beauty provides another definite edge to the place, making it one of the most exotic summer retreats that people dream of visiting.

The crystal clear turquoise waters of the sea, the pristine silvery beaches, almost virgin nature, spell binding architecture, illustrious art, culture, heritage and tradition of the places, and a plethora of highly palatable cuisines – all combine in a seamless way to create an ambience that seems very much out of this world. All these and the joy of living amidst the nature at its best perhaps provide a thrust to the locals, lengthening their life spans considerably, thus giving Sardinia, the name – “Island of Longevity”. Costa Smaralda does no injustice to that reputation, being a part of Sardinia. The beaches are the real hot spots of Costa Smeralda. Even if you are not willing to opt for anything else, then there are these beaches to make your day. You will find a lot of them along the coastline and the best of them are Liscia Ruia, Piccolo Pevero, Capriccioli, Romazzino, and Spiaggia del Principe.

However, the most popular and most visited of all the beaches is La Cinta that lies in the tender sandstrip between the Tyrrhenian Sea and a beautiful secluded lagoon that attracts thousands of migratory birds including the pink flamingo. And if you are with your family and children, you can opt for the Cala Brandinchi beach, which is the most child-friendly of beaches. The entire coast is enriched of fascinating places to explore; moving South from Porto Cervo there the beautiful beaches that lead to Gulf of Pevero and Cala di Volpe through Punta Capriccioli, in front of which there are the islands of Mortorio and Soffi, including the National Park of La Maddalena. Another very famous place is Porto Rotondo which overlooks to the Gulf of Cugnana, with villas and squares with shops of all kinds, embedded by a magnificent nature.

The National Park of La Maddalena, instead, includes an archipelago composed of several islands, seven of which - the most famous and big ones - are known as the "seven sisters": La Maddalena, the most important, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli , Santa Maria and Razzoli. The natural coastal system is intact with the exception of the town of La Maddalena. All islands and islets are made of granite and their peculiarity is due to the fact that they are extremely close to each other and have very high sea floors . All of this, together with the sea always changing colors and the extraordinary beauty of the nature, creates an enchanting landscape to discover. Precious gem of the archipelago is La Maddalena , with its magnificent beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters, shining sands and beautiful coves. The town preserves the look of an old fishing village with the town hall, the church of St. Mary Magdalene , but also bars, restaurants and any kind of shops.

The area also includes some of the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean, including the famous pink sand beach on the island of Budelli, which owes its distinctive color to the skeleton of small animals, landed on the beach through the currents. It can only be visited with a tourist guide. Among other beautiful beaches like Cala Coticciu, Brigantina, Portese in Caprera; Cala Corsara and Cala Granara in Spargi; Cala Lunga in Razzoli are definitely worth a visit. The history and culture of a region with ancient traditions and effervescent nightlife that takes place in trendy clubs, small restaurants, bars and shops of the enchanting Porto Cervo, the pearl of Costa Smeralda. Cheerful, colorful and fashionable, this sophisticated beach resort is a true paradise, chosen and visited every summer by socialites and jet -setters , who come with their enormous yachts. Hotels and restaurants, bars and eateries in Sardinia are generally over priced and those in and around Costa Smeralda are no exception. You need to have a fad budget for making a trip to the place.

The same can be said about the local cuisines and dishes, which are pretty expensive. The sumptuous Sardinian dishes will drill a hole in your pocket, but will leave a long lasting taste in your taste buds. Properties for sale across Costa Smeralda >> TRAVEL IDEAS - DISCOVER COSTA SMERALDA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS Seaside In Italy Online - The Emerald Coast And Beyond The Emerald Coast And Beyond: A Two-Day Drive You'll Never Forget [Back to Sardinia] Whether you stay in a luxury hotel, on a million-dollar yacht or in a tent, if you go to the trouble to visit Sardinia, you must not leave without negotiating the narrow, windy, hilly road that curves alongside this most picturesque coastline. You will be rewarded with shimmering turquoise waters, wind-sculpted sandstone formations, beautifully camouflaged resort homes and brightly-hued fishing villages where minuscule boutiques sell the most expensive, most elegant casual attire in the universe. It costs the earth, in August it's crowded, it's impossible to find a place to stay, but we dare you to find anyone who regrets having gone there. If you fly into Olbia, rent a car at the airport.

Or take your car on the ferry to Golfo Aranci. Sardinia is a place for drivers: the public transportation is dismal, unreliable and SLOW. However you get to the island, have a car and drive it north, following the frequent signs marked "Costa Smeralda." Unlike many parts of Italy, the main attractions here are not jewel-like towns or world-class museums. What you've come to see is right outside your car window, every minute of the day. Keep bathing suits, towels and snorkeling gear at hand always, because you will find dozens of places to stop and take a swim. And if you're traveling in summer, keep your windows down so the butterscotch-like scent of golden St. John's wort flowers can fill the air. The first stretch of the provincial road is tortuous, alternating twenty-foot high boulders with breathtaking views of tiny coves nestled directly below the road. Meander north, stopping in Porto Rotondo, then in Porto Cervo, to stroll through the narrow streets, people-watch at a cafe, inspect the glamorous yachts and sailboats and look for bargains in the boutiques.

After Porto Cervo, the vistas open up as you drive past Liscia di Vacca, surely one of the world's most memorable bays, and on past the Gulf of Arzachena. Soon you'll come to the bustling seaport of Palau, where more signs are in English than Italian, because of the nearby US nuclear submarine base. This is the departure point for a 20-minute ferry trip to the dramatic island of La Maddalena. Garibaldi buffs will want to drive across the causeway that links La Maddalena to Caprera, where Italy's closest equivalent to George Washington is buried. Back on the main island, continue north to windswept Santa Teresa di Gallura. Plan to spend some time on the beach wandering amongst the huge sandstone "animals," natural formations that closely resemble elephants, rhinos, hippos and water buffalo. This is the official boundary of the Costa Smeralda, and it's a great place to settle in for a good night's rest . The next morning, adventurers will want to push on along the Costa Paradiso, to the town of Castelsardo.

Here you can visit the ancient towers and ramparts, the Doria Castle, and the 12th-century church of Santa Maria di Tergu. More miles of breathtaking coast lead to Porto Torres, where the 11th-century Romanesque church of San Gavino is well worth a pause, and then on to Stintino, the northwestern tip of Sardinia facing the former penal island of Asinara. Be sure to have plenty of film for your camera, and pat yourself on the back for having completed this gorgeous, if somewhat arduous, itinerary. Ferries leave for La Maddalena from Piazza del Molo in Palau several times a day, although you may have to wait for a second one in August. One ferry a day leaves from Via Porto in S. Teresa di Gallura, where you can also catch a ferry for Corsica. Garibaldi's Home and Museum (Compendio e museo garibaldino, Caprera) is open Tuesday-Sunday, 9-1:30.

Sardinia: The lure of the Emerald Coast - Telegraph Italy Sardinia: The lure of the Emerald Coast You don’t have to be super-rich to enjoy the island’s Emerald Coast, with its wonderful beaches, golf and nightlife, says Oliver Smith. The translucent waters of Sardinia's Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) Photo: GETTY IMAGES Image 1 of 2 The church at Porto Cervo, where whitewashed walls contrast with the island's blue skies Photo: GETTY IMAGES By Oliver Smith 8:00AM BST 02 Sep 2009 Why go? Although it is still a magnet for billionaires’ super-yachts, Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) is becoming increasingly accessible to mid-market and even budget holidaymakers. A number of low-cost airlines now fly to the recently expanded Olbia Airport, and good value campsites and agritourismi have sprung up across the region. The real draw here is the beaches.

Lapped by translucent blue waters, backed by macchia (scrubland perfumed by wild herbs such as thyme, rosemary and oregano) and framed by Mistral-warped granite outcrops, they are among the finest in the Mediterranean. But observing the mind-boggling wealth on display is also half the fun. In a few days’ time, Porto Cervo, the Costa Smeralda’s nominal capital, hosts the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (Sept 6-12), an event sure to attract yet more majestic vessels and Prada-clad playboys. Travel by… Plane. EasyJet ( easyjet.com ) offers daily flights to Olbia from Gatwick and Bristol, from around £60 return. Thomas Cook Airlines flies from Gatwick and Manchester, Ryanair from Birmingham ( ryanair.com ), and Jet2 from Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh and Manchester. Prices vary depending on when you fly; weekend departures are usually more expensive. To explore the region, car-hire is essential. Taxis are costly and public transport virtually non-existent. Europcar ( europcar.co.uk ) has the largest selection of hire cars available at the airport.

Expect to pay between £200 and £300 for a compact economy car for a week. Related Articles 14 May 2009 Sleep in… One of Porto Cervo’s most luxurious lodgings, the Cala Di Volpe, Romazzino and Pitrizza – all owned by Starwood Hotels ( starwoodhotels.com ) – whose high-season room rates start at around 600 euros and finish at more than 2,000 euros. More affordable options close to Porto Cervo include Hotel Le Ginestre (0039 0789 92030; leginestrehotel.com ), where double rooms – all with private terraces – are priced at around 270 euros per night. Perhaps the most cost-effective option for visiting the region is agritourismi accommodation: working farmhouses with space for guests. A double room with breakfast in high season will typically cost around 40 euros per night. Their website ( en.agriturismo.it ) has a wide range of options throughout Sardinia. Particularly frugal travellers may wish to consider sleeping under canvas.

Eurocamp ( eurocamp.com ) has more than 20 pitches at the Isuledda campsite, a 20-minute drive from Porto Cervo. It’s a wonderful, sprawling complex set on a small peninsula and surrounded by beaches. Spend the morning in… Exploring the Costa Smeralda’s glorious beaches. The Spiaggia Liscia Ruia, at the end of a 2km dirt road, is the region’s largest – so you’re guaranteed some towel space – and its water is perhaps the clearest. The small twin beaches of Capriccioli occupy an idyllic location, but their popularity means you’ll need to be up early to park your car and the bay can feel uncomfortably crowded. Next along is the Spiaggia del Principe, a popular celebrity hang-out with an equally dreamy setting. Further up the coast lies the Spiaggia Romazzino, backed by rosemary bushes, while the Spiaggia Pevero – another favourite of the rich and famous – completes the set. Access to all the beaches is free if you leave your car on the main roads, although local authorities are known to sporadically fine drivers for doing this.

Otherwise you will have to pay 1.50 euros per hour to make use of the official car parks. Have lunch… On the beach. You can save yourself a fortune on overpriced soft drinks and paninis from seaside cafés by seeking out your nearest supermarket or pasticceria. Take a picnic of pane carasau (a traditional Sardinian flat bread), cured meat and rich pecorino sardo – the island makes around four -fifths of Italy’s pecorino cheese. Spend the afternoon… Visiting one of the island’s megalithic nuraghe. Dating back as far as 3,500BC, there are more than 8,000 of these stone towers in Sardinia, though their exact purpose remains unproven. The tallest are 20 metres high, and they are usually found on hilltops or mountainsides, affording sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The Nuraghe Albucciu, just off the road to Arzachena, is the easiest to reach and a fine example of these mysterious monuments, containing a maze of tunnels and passages.

From here – if you’re feeling energetic – you can follow a 2km path to the Tempio di Malchittu, a ruined stone temple in a gorgeous setting. A ticket for both sites costs five euros per person. Have dinner at… Il Pomodoro (0039 0789 931626; Mon-Fri 7pm-11pm), located next to the Piazzetta, which is a rare example of a reasonably priced restaurant in Porto Cervo. It serves excellent pizzas and traditional Sardinian fare; expect to pay around 25 euros per head, not including wine. The majority of restaurants in the area are staggeringly expensive. But if you can afford them, the Yacht Club and Gianni Pedrinelli’s are definitely the places to be seen. Stay up late… At Phi Beach (0039 0789 955012; ), just a short drive north from Porto Cervo, in the coastal town of Baia Sardinia. Although the drinks are overpriced, the beachside location and live music will provide ample compensation.

But be sure to dismiss any wild fantasies about gaining entry into Flavio Briatore’s famous Billionaire nightclub, where the clientele will sometimes spend more than £30,000 on a bottle of champagne. Spend another morning at… Pevero Golf Club (0039 0789 958000; golfclubpevero.net ). Created by Robert Trent Jones Sr – who has twice redesigned Georgia’s Augusta National – Pevero is considered one of Europe’s finest golf courses, offering wonderful views of the island’s rugged coastline. Expect to pay green fees of 125 euros for adults and 62.50 euros for junior players. At all costs avoid… Leaving 11million euros worth of jewellery in your hotel suite, as one Saudi princess did in Porto Cervo earlier this year. She was promptly relieved of the entire collection by thieves.

Things To Do In Porto Cervo | Hotel Pitrizza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda Hotel Pitrizza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda Hotel Pitrizza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda Local Attractions No rooms available for these dates Select Alternate Dates For stays longer than 90 days, please call 866-539-3446. You can only book 550 days in advance. Please double-check your dates. Learn More About Porto Cervo Offering the most refined of all holiday destinations in Sardinia, the 55-kilometer-long Costa Smeralda—also called Emerald Coast—is located on the Northeast corner of the island renowned for translucent waters, pristine beaches, and a bright Mediterranean climate. Presently, Sardinia and the Costa Smeralda are part of Italy. In the past, however, they were ruled by the Romans, the Saracens of North Africa, Spain, and Austria—to name only a handful. The result is a rich, layered culture that is reflected in its distinct local traditions, cuisine, and handicrafts.

Experience these native customs first-hand with local artisan demonstrations, a visit to the famous Cerasarda pottery factory, and day trips to the celebrated archaeological site of Li Muri or the Gallura region’s characteristic small villages. The development of Sardinia’s international tourist industry began in the 1960s thanks to the efforts of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. Consequently, modern coastal amenities include not only nature’s bounty but also world class restaurants, celebrated architecture, dynamic nightlife, designer boutiques, and the renowned sailing regatta, the Sardinia Cup. For amateur ocean adventurers, excursions to bordering islands Mortorio, Soffi, and Maddalena present a taste of sea life—and the possibility of observing indigenous bottle-nosed dolphins in their natural habitat. Additional activities include golfing at the esteemed Pevero Golf Course, a ride on a traditional Sardinian steam engine, and unforgettable outings to the Ispinigoli and Blue Marino grottos. Store hours are generally from 10am - 1pm and 5pm - 8pm. Local currency is the Euro, and the electric system is European Standard 220 volt.

The official language of Sardinia is Italian, but English, French, German, and Spanish are also spoken.

Pevero Golf Club 10.0 km/6.2 miles Nearby Destinations Porto Cervo 3.0 km/1.9 miles La Maddalena and Caprera Islands 19.3 km/12.0 miles Porto Rotondo 24.0 km/14.9 miles Algarve, Portugal 1528.9 km/950.0 miles Recreation Cervo Tennis Club 3.0 km/1.9 miles Shopping Porto Cervo Centre 3.0 km/1.9 miles Transportation OLB - Costa Smeralda Airport/Olbia 32.2 km/20.0 miles AHO - Fertilia/Alghero Airport 149.7 km/93.0 miles CAG - Elmas Airport/Cagliari 331.5 km/206.0 miles Sardinia - Indagare Shop…for unique pottery at Antonio Farci’s shop Know…that as an Indagare member you can contact our Bookings Team for customized recommendations, expert guides, special access and itineraries Lay of the Land Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily

 ), is about the size of New Hampshire.

The Costa Smeralda is on the island’s northeast coast, with Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport being the closest arrival point. (It’s also possible to fly into Alghero on the west side of the island or Cagliari in the south.) In terms of landscape, the island’s interior is rugged and mountainous; north of the Emerald Coast, the wind and sea have sculpted a valley of granite into a setting something like the surface of the moon. South of the Emerald Coast, the mountains drop dramatically to the sea and you’ll discover hidden beach coves accessible almost exclusively by boat. At the southern tip of the island is Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, which is surrounded by lagoons and salt flats dotted with flamingos. Like Cagliari, the town of Alghero, on the northwest coast, has a picturesque old town with narrow cobblestoned streets and ancient stone buildings. Because the northwest was at one point controlled by the Aragonese, it has a strong Spanish and Catalan flavor. While most Sardinia high-flying regulars rarely leave the resorts and beaches of the Emerald Coast, more and more adventurous travelers are discovering the rewards of venturing beyond its borders.

Drive toward the island’s center or south to the small city of Olbia and you’ll find traditional restaurants like Ristorante Gallura (a favorite of such epicures as Victor and Marcella Hazan). Farther south, Cagliari, the island’s capital-on-the-sea, has excellent vineyards and, in the town of Chia, one of Sardinia’s most beautiful stretches of beach. Book Hotels How about a holiday home in Sardinia? - Telegraph How about a holiday home in Sardinia? Unspoilt Sardinia still has plenty to offer holiday home buyers, says Graham Norwood. A Mediterranean gem: Sardinia is likely to retain its character Photo: ALAMY Comments Ask typical sun-seeking Britons to name a beautiful Mediterranean island and Majorca, Ibiza and Cyprus will feature highly. They ignore Sardinia. The island, the second largest in the Med, is 115 miles west of the mainland and has little of the bling of those other destinations, which makes it attractive to discerning Britons seeking an unspoilt location and, best of all, keeps prices relatively low.

In the north-east, Costa Smeralda, or Emerald Coast, where various celebrities reside, adds a little stardust to this otherwise-unassuming island. There is an international airport, Alghero, a rugged coast, good beaches and cobalt waters – reminiscent of Majorca before the developers. Unlike the rest of the island, this patch is expensive. For £1.5 million you get a four-bedroom villa with sea views. “But waterfront villas cost upwards of £8 million. Don’t expect much negotiation on prices, demand remains high,” warns Gemma Bruce of Casa & Country, an Italian buying agency. A far more affordable area is southern Sardinia, a 90-minute drive from Cagliari airport. It was popular in pre-downturn days, but Bruce admits “British buyers are few and far between in recent years,” and BA and Ryanair have ceased direct flights from the UK, leaving easyJet with a near monopoly. Villas for sale are few, but only 40 per cent of Costa Smeralda prices, so a three-bedroom villa can be as little as £200,000.

Derelict houses can be around £30,000, although require as much again to be habitable. There is, however, a project at Is Molas golf resort: a five-star hotel and villas are being built. The first ones will cost from £1.52 million but later phases will be cheaper. The third area for potential buyers includes the capital city, Cagliari. The charming, historic port has plenty for sale. In the marina area a local developer, RUR, is turning a 19th-century mansion into apartments, for £231,150 to £1.5 m – the latter with dramatic port views. Related Articles Costa Smeralda Golf Resort - Sassari, Sardinia, Costa Smeralda, Italy Costa Smeralda Golf Resort The Resort The Resort On the northern tip of Sardinia, the trendy Costa Smeralda has become over the years the favourite playground of the rich and famous. Preserved from massive real estate operations, it has nevertheless retained its exclusiveness and pristine natural beauty in a stunning natural setting.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts operates five property on the Costa Smeralda: a Sheraton hotel, three hotels from The Luxury Collection and the Pevero Golf Club. Costa Smeralda's golf course at Pevero Golf Club is a Robert Trent Jones Senior masterpiece. This championship course, host to various italian Open, stretches between the bays of Pevero and Cala di Volpe. Situated in a magnificent setting between pink granite boulders and scented Mediterranean shrub, the fairways offer stunning views over the emerald waters of the aptly named Costa Smeralda - or "emerald coast". All inclusive golf packages are available at any property and a complimentary shuttle runs between the four hotels and the Golf Club. There is another R.T. Jones' masterpiece at Sperone GC, just across the Bonifacia Strait on the neighbouring French island of Corsica - A perfect one day excursion including a short and scenic ferry crossing. The views from Sperone course to the strait and Sardinia are stunning! For more details and photos on this destination, use the tags above ...

Costa Smeralda Resort At the heart of Porto Cervo Marina Starwood Hotels / Sheraton Hotels & Resorts At the heart of Costa Smeralda Resort, Cervo Hotel overlooks Porto Cervo famous marina. Built as a traditional Mediterranean village around a shady courtyard, this five star hotel also includes the Cervo Tennis Club and the Cervo Conference Centre. Accommodation is distributed between the hotel's main building, with 90 rooms, and the Tennis Club, open all yera and featuring 16 rooms. 5 Stars Leisure & Business Hotel 106 Rooms & Suites On Pevero Golf Course Starwood Hotels / A Luxury Collection Hotel Perched above a scenic bay, Hotel Cala di Volpe is a picturesque hamlet style hotel. The buildings mix indigenous materials and handicraft to recreate a timeless Mediterranean atmosphere. A perfect retreat for golfers, Cala di Volpe has its own putting green and lies adjacent to Pevero Golf Club. 5 Star DeLuxe Costa Smeralda Resort Dining Large selection of à la carte, table d'hôte and buffet restaurants, as well as pool, cocktail and piano bars at all properties.

According to season and property, gests on full board have the possibility to have meals at any hotel or restaurant of the resort at no extra charge Leisure Swimming pools, Fitness facilities and private beaches at all properties • Porto Cervo Marina + Marinasarda sailing and motor boat fleet • Cervo Tennis Club • Free shuttle service to private beaches, Porto Cervo Marina and Pevero Golf Club Cervo Conference Centre 9 Meeting room accommodating up to 1.000 people (largest meeting room: 600 m2) • Full meeting and event facilities + All supporting services • Conference Centre close to Cervo Hotel Pevero Golf Club Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1972) 18 holes - 6,681 yds - Par 72 Venue of the Italian Open The course is nestled in between the glittering emerald waters of the bay of Cala di Volpe and the Gulf of Pevero, at the very heart of the Costa Smeralda. Its sweeping fairways and lush greens are maintained in top notch condition by near perfect greenkeeping. The layout is highly strategic and distance is a matter of relative importance here.

A good score at Pevero calls for virtuosity and technique rather than power or length off the tees. The course is extremely difficult from the championship tees, but more accessible from the front tees. This is an ideal course for match-play and an extremely stimulating challenge for low and high handicappers alike. According to golf insiders, the Pevero Golf Club - with its unforgettable panorama - is heralded as one of the most stunning golf courses in the world. Opened in 1972 under the direction of legendary golf course and landscape architect Robert Trent Jones, the course gained international acclaim so rapidly that it was elected to host the 1978 Italian Golf Open. To this day, the Pevero Golf Club attracts a loyal clientele of the most experienced and passionate golf players from across the globe. • Practice Facilities In addition to the spectacular course, the Pevero Golf Club features an expert putting and pitching green, a bunker and chipping green, and a driving range with 20 outdoor and four indoor spaces perfect for instruction and practice. A golf pro is available for private lessons. The club requires that soft spike shoes are worn during play. Children over the age of six are welcome under the supervision of an adult.

Golf in Sardinia & Corsica Golf in Sardinia & Corsica Both other golf clubs on the island are over 200 km. away, so your best alternative in the region for a day golfing excursion is Sperone (Bonifacio), on the neighbouring french island of Corsica and a 30 min. ferry crossing away. • Sperone Golf Club (Corsica) Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1990) Sperone is located on a breathtaking site at the southern tip of Corsica, overlooking the Mediterranean, the tiny islands of Cavallo and Lavezzi, and Sardinia across the Bonifacio strait. Set over a 135 hectare estate on a peninsula jutting into the sea and covered with Mediterranean heathland. On this privileged piece of land, Robert Trent Jones has designed a masterpiece and surely one of its best course ever, as he himself admits. Many holes on the sea shore may perfectly be compared to the sequences of oceanside holes at Pebble Beach.

• Is Arenas Golf & Country Club Robert von Hagge (2000) Halfway down the west coast, this majestic golf course extends over 2500 acres of dunes and woodlands, amidst an unspoilt pine forest extending all the way down to the mile long sandy beach. In these beautiful natural surroundings, the fairways wind their ways through pines, eucalyptus, myrtle trees and mimosas, the natural habitat for jays, weasels and foxes. The several and often dangerous water hazards are naturally part of the course and also provide a refreshing touch, at least visually ! • Is Molas Golf Club Henry Cotton & Frank Pennink + Piero Mancinelli (1975) On the sourthern tip of the island, Is Molas has hosted the Italian Open on three occasions and it is a regular stop of the European PGA Challenge Tour. Although a classic Mediterranean course, most of the tees afford panoramic view of the emerald sea, Is Molas light, wind and surroundings are somewhat reminiscent of Scotland and California.

Costa Smeralda & Sardinia Costa Smeralda & Sardinia The Resort sits on a spectacular 55-kilometer stretch of Sardinian coastline known as Costa Smeralda—or “Emerald Coast”, due to the deep green colour of the Mediterranean sea. Dramatic rock formations, windswept into sculptural reliefs by the Mistral wind - are as characteristic of the area’s astonishing beauty as the fragrance of laurel, oleander, and juniper carried by the ocean breeze. The meandering coast forms hidden inlets of aqua blue water perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Open from April through October of each year, the resort enjoys endless sunshine and balmy temperatures from 20 to 27º C, while the ocean warms up to an ideal 23º C. Sightseeing La Maddalena Islands - Take a motor boat to this famed archipelago, with its enchanting coves of “Manto della Vergine”, crystal clear water and pristine white sand beaches. Explore the lovely islands of Caprera, Budelli, Spargi, La Maddalena, and Santa Maria along the way.

San Pantaleo—Visit the open-air market, held every Thursday in the charming church square of this traditional Sardinian village. Musicians play in the shade of pink and red oleander trees, while local artisans and farmers offer a colourful display of crafts and produce. Nuraghi Stone Structures—Appealing to history enthusiasts, these massive Bronze Age shelters of symmetrically laid stones offer a fascinating glimpse into the legacy of the Nuraghi—Sardinia’s ancient indigenous people. Tours may be arranged to the most prominent structures scattered across the island. Porto Cervo—Truly Mediterranean in spirit, this idyllic port town of graceful archways, pastel-hued homes and flowering cascades of bougainvillea is a shopper’s dream, where international designers easily mix with locally crafted ceramics, textiles, and jewellery. At night, Europe’s glitterati mingles in the chic outdoor cafés or dances into the early morning hours at one of the many glamorous nightclubs. Address & Contact

Question: The Costa Smeralda (or Emerald Coast) is a feature of which Mediterranean island?
Answer: SARDINIA